Air Force captures deserter 35 years after he disappeared

This combination of photos provided by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations shows William Howard Hughes Jr., after being captured in June 2018, at left, and an image from his time at the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations via AP)

Thirty-five years after being declared a deserter, Air Force fugitive Capt. William Howard Hughes Jr. was apprehended this week in his California home.

Hughes was arrested without incident by Air Force Office of Special Investigations special agents on June 6, according to OSI.

Hughes deserted from the Air Force in 1983 after returning from Western Europe, where he was on temporary duty.

The Air Force formally declared Hughes a deserter on Dec. 9, 1983. At the time, intelligence officers believed that Hughes was either captured by Soviet Union agents or had voluntarily defected to the Soviet Union.

In the 35 years since his desertion, interviews with his friends, coworkers and associates were not helpful in locating Hughes. Law enforcement agencies were also unaware of Hughes’ location.